SPC named fire Training Center of the Year by state

Fire Science, Public Safety - All
From left: Jeff Atwater, chief financial officer; Lt. Tracy Dean, adjunct instructor, SPC; Stephanie Calvert, administrative assistant, SPC; Rep. Kathleen Peters, R-South Pasadena; Gabrielle Bain, in-service program coordinator, SPC; Robert “Bob” Cortes, R-Altamonte Springs; Jim Angle, program director of the Fire and Safety Training Center, SPC; Rep. Chris Latvala, R-Clearwater; Lt. John Guiles, adjunct instructor; Rep. Chris Sprowls, R-Palm Harbor; and Julius Halas, director, Division of State Fire Marshal.
From left: Jeff Atwater, chief financial officer; Lt. Tracy Dean, adjunct instructor, SPC; Stephanie Calvert, administrative assistant, SPC; Rep. Kathleen Peters, R-South Pasadena; Gabrielle Bain, in-service program coordinator, SPC; Robert “Bob” Cortes, R-Altamonte Springs; Jim Angle, program director of the Fire and Safety Training Center, SPC; Rep. Chris Latvala, R-Clearwater; Lt. John Guiles, adjunct instructor; Rep. Chris Sprowls, R-Palm Harbor; and Julius Halas, director, Division of State Fire Marshal.

The Fire and Public Safety Training Center at St. Petersburg College was recognized as Training Center of the Year by the State of Florida during an evening award ceremony in Tallahassee Monday, April 13. A total of ten awards were presented to men and women across the state for their service.

Five representatives from SPC’s Fire Science Academy attended the 2014 Fire Service Awards at the state capital. On Tuesday morning, all Fire Service awardees were recognized during the cabinet meeting with Gov. Rick Scott, Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater, Attorney General Pam Bondi and Commissioner of Agriculture Adam Putnam.

Each year, the Fire Service Awards are coordinated by the State Fire Marshal’s Office and sponsored by:

  • Fire Training Directors Association
  • Florida State Firefighters Association
  • Florida Fire Chiefs Association
  • Florida Fire Marshals and Inspectors Association
  • Florida Professional Firefighters Association
  • Emergency Preparedness Association
  • Florida Forest Service

James “Jim” Angle, Program Director of the Fire and Public Safety Training Center at SPC, said he attributes the recognition to the program’s commitment to students and quality instruction.

“We were recognized because of the quality of our programs, output of our students, quality of our staff and our responsiveness to workforce needs,” Angle said.

He said Pinellas County officials had submitted a letter of recommendation on behalf of the college for the award. The letter highlighted an alternate delivery system of hazardous materials program created by SPC, which saved the county resources.